On October 3, 2011, the New York State Banking Department and the New York State Insurance Department were merged to create the new Department of Financial Services (DFS). Given the sizeable efforts that have been undertaken to effectuate this merger, the Assembly Standing Committees on Insurance, Banks and Oversight, Analysis and Investigations will be conducting a public hearing to provide the Department with an opportunity to present an update on the merger, as well as provide an overview of any remaining steps that will be necessary to complete this transition. Just as important, the Committees would like for this hearing to be an opportunity for the Department to share changes in program and policy with regards to the industries it regulates. The Committees would also like to provide consumers, as well as affected stakeholders from both the Banking and Insurance industries, with an opportunity to present testimony.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committees at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to ten minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committees will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committees' staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committees' interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on the merger of the New York State Banking Department and the New York State Insurance Department are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to: